Subpoena Standoff
In a bold move defying Congress, Hunter Biden sidestepped a subpoena for a closed-door deposition. This action is triggering contempt proceedings by congressional Republicans. Hunter had previously stated he would only attend a public hearing, a request not granted to any other witness in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into alleged Biden family corruption. Chairman James Comer (R) insists on equal treatment for all, including Biden.
Hunter Biden on Capitol Hill: “My father was not financially involved in my business. Not as a practicing lawyer. Not as a board member of Burisma. Not in my partnership with a Chinese private businessman.”pic.twitter.com/SfnTExjQnH
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 13, 2023
Capitol Hill Address
On Capitol Hill, Hunter’s brief address to the press included a sentence that has since echoed through the halls of Congress. He declared, “Let me state as clearly as I can: my father was not financially involved in my business, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma, not in my partnership with a Chinese private businessman, not in my investments at home nor abroad, and certainly not as an artist.”
Narrative Shift
This statement marks a stark contrast to President Biden’s long-standing narrative of non-involvement in Hunter’s business dealings. Previously, the elder Biden asserted he had never discussed business matters with his son. However, Devon Archer, Hunter’s business partner, testified to the contrary, stating that the President had engaged with Hunter’s business associates. The White House maintained that President Biden “was never in business with his son.”
Republican Reaction
The specificity of Hunter’s denial has not gone unnoticed by Republicans. “The Bidens are moving the goalposts,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R) stated. Furthermore, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R) highlighted the gravity of the admission, saying, “That is a huge change, which sort of means, ‘He’s involved.’ I think that’s how anyone with common sense would read it: He’s been involved, just not financially.”
Chairman Jordan emphasized, “The biggest news of the day.”
